http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5c3jVnT7S8

Saints use big plays to put away Falcons

Headed into their game at Scripps Ranch on Friday night, St. Augustine had two weeks to think about their first loss of the season. The extra week was apparently more than enough, as the Saints stormed out of the gate and handed the Falcons a convincing 38-10 loss.

“We had to come out and show everyone what we were capable of. We let everybody down two weeks ago. This win was all about redemption,” said Saints senior wide receiver Dana Barbaro.

It took St. Augustine (5-1, 1-0 Eastern) only 3 minutes and 17 seconds to take the game’s opening drive 80 yards for a touchdown – capped by a five-yard pass from quarterback Evan Crower to Barbaro. The Saints found the endzone only 14 seconds later, when defensive back Joseph Gallo intercepted an overthrown screen pass and returned it 15 yards for a score.

“Just about everything went wrong for us,” said Scripps Ranch head coach Sergio Diaz. “They beat us on offense, they beat us on defense, special teams they executed well.”

The next time their offense got the ball, St. Augustine went up 21-0 on a six-yard halfback pass from running back Johnny Jackson to Barbaro. On that drive, Scripps Ranch linebacker Nick Stenman was ejected for throwing a punch in the pile.

“He swears that he was trying to strip the ball,” Diaz said. “We’ll have to look at the film and see what the film says. I didn’t see the play at all.”

Scripps Ranch (4-2, 0-1) showed signs of life late in first quarter, scoring 10 consecutive points. Down 28-10 in the closing minutes of the first half, the Falcons blocked a punt and had the ball deep in St. Augustine territory. But that drive – and Scripps Ranch’s chances to win – ended when Saints defensive back Sam Macias intercepted a pass and returned it 80 yards for a touchdown.

“They scored on two interceptions and I think that put a little fear in the quarterback,” Diaz said. “We tried to establish a run game and they did a great job of taking that away.”

As exciting as the first half was, the second half had only one score – a late field goal by St. Augustine. While Scripps Ranch could not get their offense going, St. Augustine pounded the ball on the ground and had a 16-play drive that spanned nine minutes in the fourth quarter.

“I wasn’t quite sure if we matched up up front physically with these guys, but the determination of the offensive line in the fourth quarter proved to me that these guys can get their pads down and drive their feet,” Sanchez said.

Saints running backs Johnny Jackson and D’andre Crowder combined to run for 126 yards on 32 carries. The run game was a nice compliment to Crower, who finished 11-for-17 for 207 yards and three touchdowns.

“We committed ourselves when we took this program over to run the football,” Sanchez said. “We can’t be just one-dimensional.”

Barbaro was Crower’s top target, finishing with six catches for 124 yards and three touchdowns. Friday night’s game was only his second of the season due to injury.

“The first game I felt alright, but I was really just frustrated with how I played,” Barbaro said. “Those two weeks I just had a lot to think about and I just wanted to come out here and execute.”

St. Augustine will look to stay perfect in Eastern League play next Friday when they take on Lincoln (5-1, 1-0) at San Diego High. Scripps Ranch will look to get back on track when they host Patrick Henry (1-5, 0-1) in their final home game of the season.

St. Augustine running back Johnny Jackson carries the ball